May 6-11, 2013, Wapta Traverse (Canadian Rockies)

We had a great spring trip on the Wapta Icefields €“ balmy, sunny, minimal wind, mostly empty huts, and numerous summits over the course of six days. With the strong winter-to-spring transition, the approach and exit proved to be the crux. The lakes were crossable but melting out fast and low elevation snow was mostly isothermic (sink to the ground).

Once we were on the glaciers it was a supportable melt-freeze snowpack and the skiing was great. With deteriorating conditions down low we opted out of the Sherbrooke Lake exit and went out via Bow Lake which involved many creek crossings and some downstream wading through the canyon, but in the end was the thing to do.

Peaks: Mt. Rhondda North, Mt. Olive, unnamed peak west of Balfour Hut, high point on Diableret Glacier, Mt. Gordon west and east summits.

Super fun trip. Tons of pictures and full write up on